The rot in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)-led by Ibrahim Musa Gusau, was laid bare in extraordinary fashion after Super Falcons were knocked out of the FIFA Women World Cup as bonus rows and recriminations outshone the efforts of the girls on the pitch.
The International Federation of Professional Footballers generally referred to as FIFPRO, is the worldwide representative organisation for 65,000 professional footballers.
FIFPRO, in a statement barely 24hours after the Nigerian team were ousted from the World Cup by England in Brisbane, said it was assisting the Super Falcons in getting the reward of their labour owed them by NFF.
The professional footballers body stated that the NFF is owing bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some of which date back to 2021.
The statement said: “Following the Nigeria women’s national team’s elimination from the FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFPRO can confirm it is assisting players in a disagreement with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some of which date back to 2021.
“The team is extremely frustrated that they have had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament and may have to continue doing so afterwards.
“It is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.”
Ifeoma Chukwufumnaya Onumonu, an American-born Nigerian professional footballer, who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and for the Nigeria women’s national team, had gone public after the game against England to express her frustration towards the NFF.
She said: “I have seen what [resources] England have access to,In Nigeria, we don’t have access to much. Our training fields aren’t great. Where we sleep isn’t great. Sometimes we share beds.
“It’s not good enough. In terms of recovery, we don’t have much of any of that. We don’t have access to a gym in camp in Nigeria.”
Persecondnews gathered that the team staged “No pay, No training” at the 2019 World Cup and the 2010, 2016 and 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, resulting in the ladies losing out to Morocco in the AWCON Semi-final, and Zambia in the third place game.
The girls had to wait seven months after competing at the 2022 AWCON in Morocco to access their entitlement in what is regarded as arguably one of the longest wait for the 11- time African women champions.
Some football stakeholders including past and present Super Eagles players also added their voices to amplify the demands of the girls.
Most notable is Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen, who stated emphatically while replying to FIFPRO statement on Instagram, “Pay them NFF”.
Former Everton striker, Victor Anichebe, also wrote: “NFF pay them! They did us all proud! And even if they didn’t. Pay them what they are owed!!!”
Ex-Super Eagles frontman, Odion Ighalo, also said:“NFF never stop these things.”
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